Today's buyer's market can lead to many choices and frustrations. Do your home work. 
What to do for the initial search:
1. Surf the Internet for any information pertaining to the area you are planning to search.
2. Check all resources including mortgage information, get pre-qualified, along with agents or builders you would like to interview.
3. Talk to friends or family who have gone through the process.
4. Create a wish list of your needs and wants.
5. Interview agents and/or builders, use a rating system to narrow down your choice of the professional. Check their credentials through previous clients, local "Realtor" or Builder Associations, Better Business Bureau.
6. Drive by the potential homes and check the area out before requesting a tour.
7. Utilize a "Walk through Check List" on each home toured to recall what the features were in each home.
8. Don't make a decision of your final home choice based merely on emotions.
9. Utilize a personal (home or condo) buyers rating system of each home toured to narrow down the choices to the top ranked home that meets "both" your needs if you are a buying couple. Choose 5 to 10 features to rate, or the entire menu of features. Many customer service oriented agents will provide you with an online program to Rate A Home.
10. Once you locate your dream home, make a reasonable offer. Low ball offers some times will remove the possibility of ever getting a second chance from the sellers. They are looking for the serious buyer. If you are making an offer quite a bit below the asking fee, let your agent know the reasons. This way they can present your reasons or concerns with the offer.
11. For your protection you may want the contract reviewed by a legal professional.
12. Have the home inspected.
13. Don't buy a home that you will be married to a mortgage, enjoy life outside your new home.
The list could be 12 pages long, researching the resources online will streamline your house hunting.
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